The Health Act 2006 introduced the role of accountable officer who will be responsible for monitoring the management and use of controlled drugs.
Regulations come into force on 1 January 2007 and are summarised in the briefing document.
The aim of the document is to encourage pharmacy contractors to plan their reviews of standard operating procedures.
The briefing document applies only to community pharmacies in England.
The accountable officer will be a PCT officer or employee.
Their role is to ensure best practice in relation to the management and use of controlled drugs.
Tasks include ensuring pharmacy contractors have appropriate arrangements for securing the safe destruction and disposal of controlled drugs.
Accountable officers are able to investigate concerns brought to their attention and may involve other bodies. These could include the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Services, the police and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
The document can be downloaded from the PSNC website .
